Ran furter than 5km!

The last run I did was a slower and comfortable pace for me. Managed to run abit further than previous time and it is 5.51km this time! yay!

Online lady dress shop - theluggage

Helping a friend to promote her online shop, selling ladies clothes. If you are interested, please go to theluggage.wordpress.com

The price is reasonable and the dresses are pretty nice.

*Disclaimer: I do not earn a cent for doing this. Any queries should be address to the website owner. Just helping a friend. =)

Singapore Run Events

This is for reference only. Please refer to the latest information or updates from the original website.

Upcoming Runs in Singapore

1 Mar 2009 - Newton Active Run 2009
15 Mar 2009 - Suburban Run 2009
30 May 2009 - Singapore Sundown Marathon (Register now to enjoy early bird rate!)

If you are interested in any, start your training today!

I aim to run the Sundown Marathon in May 2009, how about you?

I have been running (All tracked by Nikeplus Sportsband)

I have been running! Ran a total of 20.65km since I started to join california fitness gym.
Latest run was 4.13km. I know, i know, it is no big deal to most of the runners out there.

Well, as long as I am seeing improvement on my distance, I am happy and will continue to press on to run further. And I had set my goal that I want to run Singapore Marathon next year!
I will be prepared!

Latest run - 4.13km!

Tracking all my previous run. The graph is moving upwards! (click to view larger version for clearer date, lol)

Monopoly (Proprietary) of Technology... AVCHD.

Shot videos using Panasonic HDC-HS 100 HD video camera. Quite happy with the quality and able to view it crystal clear on LCD TV. (Mine is just a HD Ready, 1080p TV).

All good until I wanted to share the video with my friend using a DVD Burner from Panasonic - VW-BN1 DVD Burner. Well, it only accepts DVD-R, it is a minus DVD, NO plus +DVD.
This is still ok. Not an issue yet.

Then I did manage to burn the video to the DVD and when I try to play on DVD player, it says:
"Format not recognized. Unable to play video."

Why? It is due the proprietary format - .bdmv format video! From what I found from the internet, only Blue Ray DVD player and PS3 are able to play it. Not even on computers.
This is really frustrating. Why this occur? The 2 big boys - Sony and Panasonic who signed the memorandum to hold on to this technology introduced it into their products.
This has caused alot of inconvenience for video sharing. What is the point of burning the DVD when your friends can't view it?

I have no choice but to do it the old fashion way, to copy to my laptop and convert it again.

I am running Singapore Marathon...next year!

I am running Singapore Marathon...next year - 2009! Not this Sunday 7 December 2008.

I started my training, building up my stamina, strength from last week. Now to next year is like another 365 days? Too early? Nah, having a goal, will help you to train to be fit.

I will be able to run 5km, 10km, 15km, 20km, 25km, 30km, 35km, 40km... then the marathon's 42km!

So, I had set my goal to run next year's 2009 Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon, have you?

RUN YOUR OWN RACE! All the best to all the runners!

My personal exercise program at California Fitness

Started my personal exercise program last Friday! woo hoo...

Went to the gym at 1pm and leave around 2pm.

Did 20 minutes run for 3km (kinda slow, i know) to build up my stamina and strength after a long or never exercise past months.

Then went upstairs for machines, did 3 types of exercise that build up the back muscle. 15 times for each machines and did 3 sets only(ya, i know it is so little) to build my strength.

Haha.. seems like i keep mentioning about building up strength, anyway, it is true, push too hard will not help.

Hmmm... how much did I pay monthly? Got the offer from a roadshow, pay monthly $68 + 7% GST by installment for Gold member(Can only use 1 gym's facilities). Pretty ok la... since decided to use the gym 3 times a week.
3 times x 4 weeks = 12 times, about $6 per session. Quite worth it.

PC vs Mac (not Mac Vs PC)

View this at your own humor, not to ask for a fight or condemn, ya... Just Laugh your lung out!

At work



Money


Social


Music

Connect Starhub MaxMobile to Wireless Router to share connection?

Ever thought of connecting Starhub MaxMobile or USB Mobile Internet to Wireless Router to share connection?

Yes. You can with a D-Link DIR-451 3G Mobile router for UMTS/HSDPA networks with the latest firmware (for your region) from D-Link. Latest firmware is a must to support the latest USB stick - HUAWEI E170 from Starhub. Bought it from Sim Lim Square @ $339. I believe the price will drop next year.

Just plug into the USB port on the router and connect to the internet with simple internet wizard provided on the router admin page.

So, have fun!

I started to run! No joke! Got proof by Nike+ !

Yes. I started run! Okok, no big deal, it is less than 2km, 1.96km to be precise. But it is a good start for me.

The nike+ sportsband is quite accurate. Towards the end of my run, I increased by pace and that's why the graph shows upward trend. =)

Hmmm, personally I feel that this is giving me some push to run more, as I can track my progress better.

ST, I am aiming to run a full Marathon next year - 2009! I am preparing for it!

I went ShenZhen (Last day)

Took the Metro, never under-estimate China's capability to be a modern country. It is world class and safe.
I find that it is abit like Taipei's metro. haha..

Yes. I went to LuoHu Shopping Centre 罗湖商业城. Went to shop abit and to see for myself what the place is like. It is pretty much like Holiday Plaza in Johor Bahru. Lotsa lotsa genuine goods sold there but not of good quality.
My friends told me if you decide to buy, make sure you give them maximum 1/3 of the price quoted. Seriously, I did that and it works but it gets abit tiring to negotiate with the stall owner. Ma fan la.. why can't they just give you the best price and sell the goods to you?

Open space near LuoHu Shopping Centre. Was walking back to Metro after shopping at LuoHu.

Then I took the metro to another station 2 stops away - LaoJie 老街. Should have come here earlier. It feels abit like Taipei's XiMenDing. Ate this bowl of beef rice noodle at RMB 10 (SGD 2.20), it tastes good! Well, now the hygience in China has improve quite alot, it is quite safe to eat at the roadside stall.

After that, went around to walk for about 1 hour and bought few more things and hurrily left for my flight back to Singapore.

Intercontinental ShenZhen

The hotel brandish the Spanish style theme. The bell boy and ladies wore the Spanish style clothing. Look at the guy holding on to the door. Can you see the pinkish stockings? haha. They really dress for the theme. No joke!
As for ladies, they wear the traditional Spanish polka dots dress to welcome the guest.

The Metro entrance is located right in front of the hotel, just walk pass the hotel's inner and you will see the ShenZhen Metro (Subway, MRT, Tube) entrance. Very convenience.
Beside this, opposite the hotel, you need for 5 mins, you will get to shop local groceries at Wal-Mart (China).

Inside the lift, it is red in color theme while the carpet of the lift is also showing some bull's image, I tried many angles to view but still can't see what is the image. haha.

The front desk, the circle are all bull. Hmm... the hotel owner loves the bull alot!

I went ShenZhen, China.

Went to ShenZhen on 17 - 20 Dec for business trip. Took 7 am Silkair direct flight from Singapore and arrived ShenZhen at 10.50am. Stayed at Intercontinental ShenZhen hotel for 4 days. The food served are nice, better than what I had eaten at any hotel.

Passed by this Windows of the World park on the way to hotel. You can visit this park by ShenZhen metro. Very convenient!

This is my room for 4 days.

The view from my room at the balcony. It features a pirate's ship.

30 reasons for Great Depression 2 by 2011 by PAUL B. FARRELL

Read this, if you still don't know what is going to happen in coming years... not to instill fear in you. But it is a good read... haiz.. 30 reasons somemore.

1. America's credit rating may soon be downgraded below AAA
2. Fed refusal to disclose $2 trillion loans, now the new "shadow banking system"
3. Congress has no oversight of $700 billion, and Paulson's Wall Street Trojan Horse
4. King Henry Paulson flip-flops on plan to buy toxic bank assets, confusing markets
5. Goldman, Morgan lost tens of billions, but planning over $13 billion in bonuses this year
6. AIG bails big banks out of $150 billion in credit swaps, protects shareholders before taxpayers
7. American Express joins Goldman, Morgan as bank holding firms, looking for Fed money
8. Treasury sneaks corporate tax credits into bailout giveaway, shifts costs to states
9. State revenues down, taxes and debt up; hiring, spending, borrowing add even more debt
10. State, municipal, corporate pensions lost hundreds of billions on derivative swaps
11. Hedge funds: 610 in 1990, almost 10,000 now. Returns down 15%, liquidations up
12. Consumer debt way up, now at $2.5 trillion; next area for credit meltdowns
13. Fed also plans to provide billions to $3.6 trillion money-market fund industry
14. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are bleeding cash, want to tap taxpayer dollars
15. Washington manipulating data: War not $600 billion but estimates actually $3 trillion
16. Hidden costs of $700 billion bailout are likely $5 trillion; plus $1 trillion Street write-offs
17. Commodities down, resource exporters and currencies dropping, triggering a global meltdown
18. Big three automakers near bankruptcy; unions, workers, retirees will suffer
19. Corporate bond market, both junk and top-rated, slumps more than 25%
20. Retailers bankrupt: Circuit City, Sharper Image, Mervyns; mall sales in free fall
21. Unemployment heading toward 8% plus; more 1930's photos of soup lines
22. Government policy is dictated by 42,000 myopic, highly paid, greedy lobbyists
23. China's sees GDP growth drop, crates $586 billion stimulus; deflation is now global, hitting even Dubai
24. Despite global recession, U.S. trade deficit continues, now at $650 billion
25. The 800-pound gorillas: Social Security, Medicare with $60 trillion in unfunded liabilities
26. Now 46 million uninsured as medical, drug costs explode
27. New-New Deal: U.S. planning billions for infrastructure, adding to unsustainable debt
28. Outgoing leaders handicapping new administration with huge liabilities
29. The "antitaxes" message is a new bubble, a new version of the American dream offering a free lunch, no sacrifices, exposing us to more false promises

Will the next meltdown, the third of the 21st Century, trigger a second Great Depression? Or will the 2007-08 crisis simply morph into a painful extension of today's mess to 2011 and beyond, with no new bull market, no economic recovery as our new president hopes?

Perhaps some of the first 29 problems may be solved separately, but collectively, after building on a failed ideology, they spell disaster. So listen closely to "leading indicator" No. 30:

At a recent Reuters Global Finance Summit former Goldman Sachs chairman John Whitehead was interviewed. He was also Ronald Reagan's Deputy Secretary of State and a former chairman of the N.Y. Fed. He says America's problems will take years and will burn trillions.

He sees "nothing but large increases in the deficit ... I think it would be worse than the depression. ... Before I go to sleep at night, I wonder if tomorrow is the day Moody's and S&P will announce a downgrade of U.S. government bonds." It'll get worse because "the public is not prepared to increase taxes. Both parties were for reducing taxes, reducing income to government, and both parties favored a number of new programs, all very costly and all done by the government."

Reuters concludes: "Whitehead said he is speaking out on this topic because he is concerned no lawmakers are against these new spending programs and none will stand up and call for higher taxes. 'I just want to get people thinking about this, and to realize this is a road to disaster,' said Whitehead. 'I've always been a positive person and optimistic, but I don't see a solution here.'"

We see the Great Depression 2. Why? Wall Street's self-interested greed. They are their own worst enemy ... and America's too.

I need exercise!

I need exercise! I need exercise!

Got my med check result and cholesterol and fats level is unsatisfactory.

The ratio of good and bad cholesterol is not normal. Off by 1 point (5.55 vs 4.00 -normal).

So now i declare i need exercise, lotsa of it! No la... will do it regularly instead.

I bought a Nike Plus armband during my trip in Melbourne, AUD 79.99 and with the currency drops, it is about SGD 78.99. It is cheaper than getting 1 in Singapore! haha.

And then i bought a shoe pouch from Grant Wood Technology. It is for storing nike+ sensor, so that it can be use with non nike+ shoe.

Received it yesterday and each costs US 15.00. Shipment took 10 days to arrive Singapore. Yay!

Melbourne Honeymoon Part 4

Yay.. 12 Apostles, taken by me. My work. LOL.

Actually it is taken from a far on a viewing platform.

Back to the famous Flinders Station. At the junction before all the cars crossing.

We actually went to the Melbourne and see a handful of Kangaroos. The standing kangaroo is a baby, as the weather is still kinda cold, it keep putting it's head into it's mother's pouch.

I told my wife that I will try to visit every zoo in every country that I had visited. =)

Melbourne Honeymoon Trip Part 3

The clean and homely Southern Heights room that we spent one night. It is charged at AUD 135 per night and they serve continental breakfast too. Home style.

The bathroom that is 5-stars.

From the house, it overlooks the Great Ocean, face south. This B&B actually situated at Lavers Hill and not near the ocean. If you like the hilly feeling or staying away from the hustle bustle of the road and sea, this is the place you should stay.

The lovely owner, from left, Mary and Lex. They hosted us for the night and they are very very friendly and nice people. They made our Honeymoon even sweeter! Mary is from Kuching, Sarawak. So my wife and myself being Malaysian, felt kinda homely with the couple.

Thanks Lex and Mary!

To book a place at Southern Heights, visit www.southernheights.com.au

Tel : +61 3 5237 3131

Email : southernheights@bigpond.com

Melbourne Honeymoon Trip Part 2

On Tuesday, we drove to Great Ocean Road. The scene is simply magnificient. The sea, the wind and the view, very very nice.

We rented a Toyota Yaris from Hertz that cost us about $35 per day and plus excess (insurance) that is another about $35. 1 day rental = $70. Rented for 48 hours and we drove to Great Ocean Road.

We passed by many beautiful scene and arrive a B&B(Bed & Breakfast) homestay at Southern Heights.

First stop at some viewing platform. We got so excited even at the first stop and started taking picture. This is someting Asian will do in Melbourne, very typical. Haha.

From the viewing platfrom, we oversee the flat land that is covered with shrubs and with a road emerging from no where.

One of the coast.

We arrived at the Memorial Arch at Great Ocean Road at Eastern View. It is a tribute to those who built the Great Ocean Road.

Melbourne Honeymoon Trip Part 1

Spent 9 days at Melbourne. Took a flight on Friday night and arrive Melbourne the next morning.

We were picked up by our good friend, James from the airport and went to St.Kilda for brunch.


We saw Proton Waja in Melbourne! haha..

Sausages and hams sold at Victoria Market.

Music boxes hanged on a board. There are many music to choose from!

Well, you can see sign right? It is independent toilet that will self-clean. This is shot at Blackburn where the neighbourhood is a chinese dominant area. You can find all the authentic chinese food here, James brought us to Blackburn for a authentic Hong Kong style roast duck. Yummy!

Going to Melbourne! My first time going there...

I am going! I am going! Woo hoo.. the excitement starts now!

Booked my air tix in July 08, then start to book hotel end of Sep 08, settle visa, book car and travel insurance in Oct.

Places to visit for myself and my wife: Melbourne CBD, Great Ocean Road and maybe Philips Island if I can still drive after the long way back from Great Ocean Road.

So now, all set and good to go! Will post alot of Melbourne photos when I am back.

What cost the Ferrari F1 team their trophy? Technology!

Ferrari being one of the best F1 team in the world, when they should be winning, they lost and the blunders came from technology.

They, the advance and fore-runner in technology team, is the only team that do not use the lollipop sign in F1 race. This has cost them trophies, pit crew bruises, fuel pipes and headline in F1.

The lollipop man who is standing in front of the car, can see all the actions and completion of the tasks assigned to the pit crew. Once all clear and the traffic is clear, he will then change the sign to Gear 1 and move up to let the car drive out of the pit. All these? none with Ferraris. They use the Red, Amber, Green light instead. Yes, it will reduce the pit stop time but it didnt work since the last race - Valencia. 3 errors including this, encoutered by team Ferrari. Read here.

The pic above showing the pit crews who only ran like 3 minutes later down the pit lane to remove the still attached fuel pipes from Massa's car. Massa was waiting for pit crews to come forward to retract the fuel pipes for him to continue racing. It took the crews minutes that is crucial to Massa's racing time to run to him. You can see on the TV that the crew is jogging towards him and not running. Amazing! I think next time when Ferrari selects their pit crew, they'll have to go for a 100m time trial test. haha.

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节快乐) !

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! Some say, Happy Mooncake festival... Some say, Happy Lantern Festival!

All the same but the best it is called as Mid Autumn Festival, ya!

This is the time where we enjoy the gathering with a group of friends or reunion with some of your relatives.

Remember don't overeat the mooncake!

Origin of Mid Autumn festival :

Chinese version - http://www.china.com.cn/ch-jieri/zhongqiu/2.htm
English version - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Autumn_Festival

Ending of Babylon A.D movie

Can someone explain to me what does this scene means at the end of movie?

"A superpower woman on the verge of giving birth, tells Van Diesel...
'Please take care of my babies.'
"

Suddenly the next scene shows:

"Two kids - Black and White on each hand of Van Diesel...

Then Van Diesel says, 'Let's go home.'
"

Ends.


What ending is this? From the start of movies, there were actions, actions and more thrills. Sometime some shots are even motion pack that you can't see who is hitting who... makes me dizzy at the same time.

Van Diesel was told to bring a girl (a package) from Russia to New York, so you know la... an action hero, surely he brought her there after going through much fights, car crashing and etc.

And it ends with that.


What did I watch?

Thanks Nuffnang for the movie treat!

Thanks Nuffnang!

I was there and was shy to take photo but am grateful to Nuffnang for treating me to the movie.

I think it was Meng who asked which is my blog and I told him that I am not that active. =D

Anyway, thanks for organizing and giving nuffnanger a treat! Thanks !

Action/sci-fi blockbuster: Babylon A.D

Babylon A.D official website : www.babylonadmovie.com

I would like to catch this movie because it is another movie by Van Diesel and Michelle Yeoh! I am sure with both action stars, this movie will definitely be another hit!

The things I'd do to catch Lewis....

Singapore will be having it's first ever F1 race next month -September in the downtown area and it is a night race! A 1st in F1 history.
To book your ticket, go to www.singaporegp.sg !

This is ONCE IN A LIFETIME opportunity to catch Lewis Hamilton in the flesh!
Quick, go visit www.catchlewis.com

So, what would I do to catch Lewis? whip out all my savings to get the best seat during the F1 in Singapore!

Baby Red Cherry Shrimps FOR SALE

I have plenty of red cherry shrimps in my tank and it is still breeding.

I see more babies in the java moss currently, more in the making. (Lotsa females are pregnant)

If you are interested, please drop me a comment with your name and email address, I will contact you soon. And of course, only available in Singapore.


=)

Roller coater ride... on Taxi!

Last night, again.

Roller coaster ride on a taxi.

"Bkt. Panjang please, uncle"

"Ok"

~Vroom... eeeeee... Vroom....

~Vrooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom..... eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!


Almost puke in the taxi, really can't take it!!!!!

Entire journey drove like racing car, overtake... overtake. Tail-gate...

wah lau eh~~~~~~~~~~ !!


Hate them?! Nah... fastest mode of transport, though expensive. What to do?!

Some classic moment - Chuan Chuan... in the year 1999.

Chuan Chuan in year 1999 Christmas.

MRT coming to my way! In 7 years time (2015)

Yay! Confirmed news. MRT is coming to my neighbourhood! It is coming to Bukit Panjang!
Though it is not directly linked to where I stay, it is about 10 mins from my place. Reasonable la! Where got MRT built right below your flat one?!

It will be ready in year 2015 - 7 years later. Well, worth waiting la. By then, my kids is big enough to take train to downtown. Haha.

Now the LTA is asking for naming of the station. Should I suggest:

1. Bukit Panjang
2. Ten Miles

Tank after trimming (Hair Cut)

So much cleaner and brighter now. I cutted the java moss round shape to make it like mushroom shape. Haha!

Dunno what they are feasting on.. keep eating..

I climb.. climb...

Climb some more...